SAGT – Strategic Approach to Green Transition 

The city of Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina is struggling with significant air pollution, mainly caused by a local coal-fired power plant, but also by other industries, traffic and coal-fired domestic heating. Reducing these emissions is not only the city’s goal, but also implements the EU’s Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil, which is a key deliverable under the European Green Deal. In Tuzla, the first step towards reducing air pollution is to develop a municipal strategy to pave the way for the city’s green transition. However, the city administration has lacked the capacity to draft such a strategy.

Maribor in Slovenia has already implemented a circular economy transition strategy. With this project, it entered into a partnership with Tuzla to share its experience and know-how for developing a green transition strategy for the city of Tuzla with the aim of reducing pollution from three sources:  industry, transport and heating. 

Tuzla’s municipal employees acquired skills and tools for drafting, implementing and monitoring green strategies and learned about the policy mechanisms needed for a green transition. The project brought together the local public administration, industry, research and environmental organisations to contribute their expertise to the development of the strategy and foster cooperation on green issues. 

Once adopted by the city council, the strategy serves as a local framework and starting point for the city’s green transition. 

In a pilot, public buildings’ energy consumption was digitally monitored to demonstrate how innovative technologies can reduce pollution and how the city can play its part.

• Green Transition Strategy provides a shared roadmap for Tuzla’s sustainable development: The project developed a Green Transition Strategy for the City of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The strategy gained political support from public authorities and key stakeholders from academia, industry, civil society, and environmental organisations. Its recommendations will be integrated into Tuzla’s city-level strategy update in 2027, ensuring long-term institutional uptake. This creates a foundation for implementing measures that support energy efficiency, resource efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Knowledge transfer strengthened Tuzla’s capacity for green transition planning: The cooperation between Maribor and Tuzla enabled the exchange of practical knowledge and proven approaches for a green transition. Tuzla adapted Maribor’s experience with circular economy and smart city solutions to its own local context. Municipal staff improved their strategic planning capacities and gained confidence to advance green transition measures. The cooperation showed that cities can build on existing knowledge and accelerate climate action without starting from scratch. 
• Pilot actions demonstrated links between energy efficiency, air quality, and climate benefits: The project tested energy efficiency approaches in five buildings across Tuzla and Maribor and analysed data on energy performance and air quality. The findings improved understanding of the connection between inefficient heating, air pollution, and public health. Recommendations from the pilot activities were integrated into Tuzla’s Green Transition Strategy guidelines. These measures support future energy savings and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. 
• Long-term cooperation created a basis for continued climate action: The partnership between Maribor and Tuzla established a strong foundation for future cooperation beyond the project period. Municipal representatives continue exchanging knowledge and developing joint initiatives based on the experience gained through the project. The consortium has already developed new project ideas, including an approved Interreg project. This continued collaboration helps sustain capacity building and supports further implementation of green transition measures.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz53GnZ0OdM [croatian; source: RTV 7 Tuzla]